Votikg machine



Feb- 21, 1933 l J. M. GARR C 1,898,874

vo'rnm MACHINE Filed July 3, 19:50 :s sheets-sheet 3 INVENTOR Mk @W a HAS' ATTORNEY.

WITNESBIS CII Patented Feb. 2l, 1933 unirsi) STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH M. GARR, OF CALUMET CITY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PEOPLES VOTING MACHINE CORPORATION, OF KNOX, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA VOTING MACHINE Application led July 3,

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in voting machines and has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be highly eiiicient in use and economical in manufacture.

The salient object of the invention is the provision of an operating mechanism embodied in the invention.

Another object of the invention is the provision oi an operating mechanism adapted for use with a plurality ot elongated straps carrying Wedge units which are associated with the invention.

Another object is the provision of an operating device for a counting mechanism associated with the invention.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an operating mechanism for an independent voting unit associated with the invention.

A still further objectis the provision of an operating mechanism for the various other devices embodied in the machine with which the invention is associated.

An additional obj ect is the provision of an improved construction of the character described herein which is positiv(I and fraud proof in operation and which satisfies the legal and other requirements demanded of voting machines by the various states and other political units and which is capable of meeting the needs and demands of the various types of elections.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which F l is a fragmentary front view of the machine with which the invention is associated;

Fig. is a rear elevational view of a partoii the machine with which the invention is ateiL showing the invention in operating tion 7. l* ig. 3 is a view taken substantially on the UOol 1930. Seria1 No. 465,671.

line 3-3 in Fig. 2, partly in plan and partly 1n section Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed rear View of a mechanism associated with the invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan View partly in section, taken substantially on the line 5 5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View substantially on the line 7-7 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front view of the voting machine with which the mechanism shown in Fig. 6 is associated, taken substantially on the line 8-8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view taken substantially on the line 9-9 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view substantially on the line 10-10 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional View substantially on the line 11-11 in Fig. 2.

The voting machine embodying my invention preferably comprises a cabinet 10 within which are arranged the operating mechanisms to be described presently. This cabinet 10 includes side walls 91 and 128 and may be formed of any suitable material and be of any suitable design to support a panel 11. As shown in Fig. 1 this panel 11 embodies a plurality of voting buttons 12. These buttons are arranged in horizontal rows and each row of buttons operates a unit of the voting mechanism embodied in the applicants co-pending applications Ser. ilo. 449,295, tiled on or about May 2, 1930, Ser. No. 449,296, tiled on or about May 2, 1930, and each individual button operates the counting mechanism embodied in the applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 449,624, filed on or about May 3, 1930.

The description to follow, therefore, is in general directed to the operation of one unit of the voting machine operated by one horizontal row of buttons and it will be understood, therefore, that the mechanism operated by any of t-he other horizontal rows of buttons is substantially similar to the mechanism to be described presently. The invention embodied in the present application, While operating various individual devices, is in gencui l ce

eral, therefore, directed to the operation of mechanisms associated with a plurality of horizontal rows of buttons.

In this connection each unit comprises a plurality of flat straps formed from suitable material as will best serve the purpose. As shown in Fig. 2 these straps vary in length to facilitate attaching them to pins 13 which are operable by buttons 12. As shown in Fig.

^' 3 the straps have attached to corresponding 59 which project through the panel11 and are slidable in slots 60 formed therein. Likewise the straps, as shown in Fig. 2, are arranged in superimposed position and are attached to the pins 13 in the following manner z Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that there is provided a row ot horizontally spaced slots 16 through which the pins 13 project. These pins at. their inn-er end portions project or t into loops 17, there being provided a lrey 18 in a suitable opening at the outer ends of the pins whereby to eiipectuate connection between the pins and these loops. rlhe inner end portions of the pins 13 are secured in any suitable manner to a slide bar 19 disposed upon the face of the panel 11 beneath the housing 22. These slide bars have angled end portions 23 which work in slots 24 'formed in the panel 11. The buttons 12 are rotatably secured to the platel 25 of the housing 22 by means of suitable screws 26 supporting washers 27 and each button carries an indicator 28. The front plates of the housings are secured to the housings proper by m-eans of screws 30l which are threaded into threaded openings provided in the back wall of each ot the housings and the housings 22 are secured to the panel 11 by means of suitable screws 29. To the indicator 28 is secured an arm 31 which engages in a notch 32 formed in an arm 33 of a member 34. By rotating the button 12 the arm 31 will rotate the member 34 and inasmuch as the member 34 is provided with an arm portion providing teeth 35 engaging teeth Jformed in the slide bar 19, this slide bar 19 will be moved and consequently the strap attached thereto will likewise be moved in the same direction.

Associated with the straps 36 are plates 37 which are secured thereto by means ot suitable connecting eleinents such as rivets 38. Connected to the plates 37 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 39 are straps 46 and associated with' lthe straps 40 are wedge units 41 which arev secured to the stra-ps 40 by means ot suitable connecting elements such as rivets. From Fig. 2 it will be seen that there are, in the present instance, 10 of the straps 40 in one group and these straps are disposed between the C-shaped group spacers 42 which are supported on a post structure 43 by means of staples 44. The post structure 44 is supported on the panel 11 by means ot suitable connecting elements such as screws 45. l

In voting, the voter rotates the buttons 12 to the left until the indicators 28 attached thereto are disposed horizonally and this lettward movement of the indicators and the arms 31 attached thereto moves the straps 36, plates 37, and straps 40 to the right (Figs. 2 and 3), and this leftward movement of the straps 40 causes the wedge units 41 to move into wedging engagement with the abutments 46 disposed on the post structure 43 between the group spacers 42. All oi"- the mechanisms referred to above are clearly described in and embodied in the applicants co-pending applications, referred to and identified hereinbe- Jr'ore. TWhen the wedge units 41 are moved into wedging engagement with the abutments 46 the plates 37 are moved to the right, (Figs. 2 and 3) looking at the rear ot the panel 11, until the edge portions 47 of the plates 37 abut the edge 48 of the vertically extending bar 49 which is secured to a vertically extending bar 50 by means of studs 51. When the voter has completed his voting, the edge portions 47 ot the plates 37 will, therefore, be disposed in abutting engagement with the edge 48 ot the bar 49 and a. mechanism operated by the voter on lea-ving the voting booth moves the bar 49 to the lett into the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2, and the leftward movement of the bar 49 moves the plates 37 to the lett while the lettward movement of the plates 37 in turn moves .the straps 4() and attached wedge units 41 so that the wedge units 41 are moved out of wedging engagement with the abutments 46 and in this maner these straps and attached wedge units are returned to voting position. As shown in Fig. 2 the lowermost of the straps 36, indicated at 36, is mounted on a pin 13 which is associated with an independent voting mechanism generically indicated at 82 and embodied in the applicants co-pending application, Ser. No. 449,624, led on or about May 3, 1930.

The studs 51 are secured to the bar 49 by means ot screws 52 which are screwed into suitable threaded openings formed in the studs 51. he vertically extending bar 50 is secured to a plurality of horizontally eX- tending bars 53 by means of suitable connecting elements such as screws 54. The horizontally extending bars 53 are movable laterally on screws 55 which are secured to suitable openings formed in the panel 11. rlhe bars 53 have slots 5,6 termed therein and these bars 53 are slidable on the screws 55 through the slots 56. Extending vertically,

mounted on the bars 53, and movable therewith arebars which are secured to the bars 53 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 58. When the voter has indicated his votes and has moved the indicators 28 of the buttons 12 into horizontal position the pawls 14 are moved to the left (Fig. 4) andthe rearwardly projecting tongues 59 of these pawls slide in slots 60 formed in the panel 11 until they abut the edge portions 61 of the bars 50, and when the bars 50 are moved leftwardly, looking at the rear of the panel, by means of a. mechanism to be described presently, they abut the tongues 59 of the pawls 14 and the pawls actuate the counting mechanism 15 and record the vote in the manner described in the applicants co-pend ing application referred to above, Ser. llo. 449,624, filed on or about May 3, 193

Pivotally connected at one end to bar 50l by mean of suitable connecting elements such as studs 62 are links 63 which are pivotally connected at their other ends by means of studs 66 toa vertically extending and vertically movable bar 67. Pivotally connected to the bar 67 and to the links 63 by studs 66 and pivotally connected to the panel 11 by screws are links 63. Suitable washers 64 are provided between the studs 64 and the links 62 and7 washers 68 are provided between the screws 65 and the links 63', and likewise suitable washers 69 are provided between the studs 66 and the links 63.

Connected to the bar 67 by means ot suitable connecting elements such as rivets 70 is an Y arm 71 which includes an angularly formed offset portion 72 and pivotally connected to this portion 72 of the arm 71 by means of a stud 73 is a bell crank 74. A suitable washer 75 is provided between the stud 73 and the portion 72 of arm 71. The bell crank 74 is spaced from the panel 11 by means of a collar 76 which is mounted on the panel in any approved manner and the bell crank 74 is pivotally mounted on the collar 76 by means of a suitable connecting element such as screw 77. A washer 78 is provided between the bell crank 74 and the screw 77. The bell crank 74 has a slot 79 formed in one arm thereof and this slotted portion is slid, able on a stud 80 provided on an elongated bar 81.

The bar 81 is slidably mounted on the panel 11, adjacent the bottom thereof, by means of brackets 83 which are attached to the panel 11 by means of suitable connecting elements such as screws 84 and this bar 8l is operable by a mechanism to be described presently and which is enclosed in the housing 85. The housing 85 includes a flanged base 129 having suitable threaded openings formed therein and this base portion is attached by means of screws 86 to a projecting portion 87 of the base 88 of the housing 10. A substantially similar housing 89 includes a flanged base 130 and this housing S9 is mounted by means of screws 90 to a projecting portion 131 of the base 88 of the housing 10. The mechanisms enclosed in the housing 89 are operable by the arm 92 which is moved by the voter on entering the voting booth and the mechanism enclosed in the housing 85 is operated by a similar arm 93 which is moved by the voter on leaving the voting booth which is disposed about the front of the voting machine. The mechanism enclosed in the housings 85 and 89 are substantially similar and will be described presently. A slot 90 (Fig. 9) is provided in the right hand wall 91 of the housing 10, looking toward the rear of the panel, and a tongue 92 which carries a button 93 projects through and is movable in this slot 90. The button or control element 93 is external to the cabinet 10 and is connected by a screw 94 (Fig. 2) to an arm 95 and a washer 96 is provided between the screw 94 and the arm 95. One end portion of the arm 95 is pivotall)7 mounted on a screw 96 which is mounted in and projects through the wall 91 and this screw 96 carries a spacing collar 97 which spaces this end portion of the arm 95 from the inner' side of the wall 91. A slot 98 is provided in the arm 95 and a stud 99 which is mounted on an arm 100 projects through this slot so that the arm 100 has pivotal connection with arm 95. he arm 10U is slidably mounted on the wall 91 interiorly thereof by means of screws 101 and 102 which project through slots 103 and 104 formed in the arm 100 and are mounted in the wall 91. The screws 101 and 102 carry spacing collars 105 and 106, respectively. A stud 107 is provided on the arm 100 adjacent the lower end thereof and this stud projects through a slot 108 formed in a bell crank 109. The bell crank 109 is pivotally mounted on the wall 91 interorly thereof by means of a screw 110 which carries a spacing collar 111 and one arm portion of this bell crank is connected to a rod 112 in any approved manner such as by welding. The end portion of the rod 112 opposite the bell crank 109 projects into an opening provided in an arm 113 and the arm 113 is connected to the rod 112 in any approved manner such as by wcdging engagement. The upper portion of the arm 113 is bifurcated to provide the collars 114 and 115 in which centrally disposed openings are formed and these collar portions 114 and 115 are rotatably mounted on a constricted portion 116 of a rod 117 (Fig. 11), the structure and function of which will be explained hereinafter. The lower end of the arm 113 is enlarged to provide a portion 118 which is substantially rectangular in cross section and formed inwardly of this portion 118 are-flanged portions 119 and 120 which provide a guide way for a block 121. A slot 122 is provided in the rectangular portion 118 of the arm 113 and a screw 123 projects through this slot 122 and is mounted in the block 121. The screw 123 includes a slotted head 124 for a purpose to be described presently.

Associated with the operating mechanism in the housing 89 is a bar 125 which is slidably mounted on the panel 11 by means of brackets 126 which are attached to the panel 11 by means of suitable connecting elements such as screws 127. It will be seen from Figs. 2 and 5 that this bar 125 is in parallel alignment with the bar 81. One end portion of this bar 125 is adapted to have abutting engagement with the block 121 and the oppesite end portion projects into the housing 89. The structure associated with the housing 89 is operable by the bar 236 which constitutes a part of the entrance gate to the voting booth and this structure is substantially similar to the structure associated with the housing 85 which is operable by the bar 237 which in turn constitutes a partY of the exit gate from the voting booth. The construction and operation of these structures will now be described.

rlhe bar 236 is removably mounted by means of a pin 132 in a slot formed in a stub shaft 133. The stub shaft 133 includes an enlarged portion 134 which projects through an opening in the boss 135 which is formed on the upper surface of the housing 89. lncluded in the shaft 133 is a constricted portion 136 and disposed below this portion 136 is a further constricted portion 137. The constricted portion 137 is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 138 which projects through an opening formed in the projecting portion 131 and this bearing 138 is retained in position by means of the annular flanges 139 and 140. Attached to the constricted portion 136 of the stub shaft 135 by means of a pin 141 is a cam structure generically indicated at 142. The cam structure 142 includes a centrally disposed cylindrical portion 143 which is disposed around the constricted portion 136 of the shaft 135 and this cylindrical portion has suitable aligned openings formed therein through which the pin 141 projects. integral with the cylindrical portion 143 are cam portions 144 and 145 which are similar in shape and spaced apart as best shown in Fig. 6. Rotatably mounted on a stud 146 which projects through the cam portions 144 and 145, and is secured thereto in any approved manner such as by riveting is a roller 147. Disposed between the cam portions and mounted in suitable threaded openings formed therein are screws 148 and 149 which carry spacing collars 150 and 151, respectively. Formed in aligned relationship in the cam portions 144 and 145 is a notch 152. A cut-away portion 153 formed in the cam portions 144 and 145 provides shoulders 154 and 155. Disposed in the housing 89 and mounted on the projecting portion 131 by means of a screw 156 which carries a collar 157 is a dog 158 in which a notch 159 is formed providing a tooth 163. The dog 158 includes an arcuated face 162 and is formed of suitable thickness to permit of its movement between the cam portions 144 and 145. A. stud 160 which includes a flanged portion 161 is mounted in the projecting portion 131 and this stud is adapted to have abutting engagement with the shoulders 154 and 155 for a purpose to be described presently.

In preparing my invention for use, the custodian of the machine moves the button 93 upwardly in its slot 90 until it rests in the position shown in Fig. 9. rlhe upward movement of button 93 actuates the attached arm 95 and the movement of arm 95 actuates arm 100 and attached bell crank 109. The

movement of bell crank 109 in turn rocks rod 112 and attached arm 113 inwardly toward the panel 11 so that the block 121 attached to arm 113 is moved into position between the bars 81 and 125. it being remembered that one end of rod 112 is fixed to bell crank 109 and the other end to arm 113. To enter the booth disposed about the front of the voting machine the voter moves bar 236, which is a part of the entrance gate, until this bar rests in position substantially parallel to the wall 91 and in this movement of bar 236 the cam structure 142 is rotated until the shoulder 155 abuts the stud160 which stops the movement of the cam structure. ln this movement of the cam structure 142 the roller 147 rides on the arcuated face 162 of the deg 158 and when the shoulder 155 abuts the stud 160 a spring structure attached to bar 135 and generically indicated at 191, and which will be described presently, forces the bar 125 through a suitable opening 164 provided in the wall 91 and the outer end portion of this bar then projects into the notch 159 provided in the dog 158 forcing the dog between the spaced plates of cam 144, this end portion of bar then moving into the notch 152. The spring structure 191 includes a block 192 which is formed as a protruding portion of the bar 125. Rigidly mounted on this block is a pin 193 which projects through a suitable opening formed in an upright portion 194 of a bracket 195. The bracket 195 is secured to the base 88 by means of screws 196 and 197. A coil spring 198 is mounted on the pin 193 and it will be seen that when the bar 125 is moved inwardly it acts against this spring and the snrino tends; t0 ret-um the bar 125 and in this manner bar 125 has yielding engagement with the dog 158.

After he has entered the booth, the veter closes the entrance gate by rota-ting bar 236 back into the position in which itis shown in Fig. 5, and in this position the dog 158 is forced out from between the plates of cam 144 and as the roller 147 rides the arcuated face 162 of the dog 158 the dog forces the bar to the left, looking at the rear of the panel 11, and as the bar 125 is moved inwardly its inner end portion abuts the block 121 which in turn abnts the bar 81 and the bar 81 is accordingly moved lettwardly, the outer end portion of bar 81 sliding through an opening 165 formed in the wall 128 'and projecting into a notch 166 provided in a dog 167 which is disposed in the housing 85. The leftward movement of bar 81 and attached stud 80 opera-tes the bell crank 74 and attached arm 72 and this movement of arm 72 in turn moves the attached bar 67 which actuates the links 63 and 63 attached to bar 50.

The leftward movement of bar 50 likewise moves the other bars50 through the medium of the connecting bars 53. In this leftward movement Vof bar 81 the links 63 and 63 are moved downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2 and the bars 50 are thus moved to the right, as seen from the rear of the panel 1l, the bars 50 being in this manner moved into the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 2. This rightward movement of the bars 50 and attached bars 53 likewise movesbar 49 into the position shown in solid line in Fig. 2, in which position the outer edge 48 of bar 49 is spaced apart from the inner` edges 47 of the plates 37, and the plates 37 and associated wedge units 41 are in this manner placed in voting position ready to be moved to the right as viewed from the rear of the panel, when operated by the buttons 12, pins 13 and associated straps 36. It will be seen, therefore, that the voting machine embodying my invention cannot be used for voting purposes until the proper election oliicial moves button 93 and the associated mechanism which inserts block 121 between bars 8l and 125, for the reason that unless this block 121 is in position vbetween these bars, the movement transmitted to bar 125 by the voter operating bar 236 on entering the voting booth will not be transmitted to bar 81 and accordingly this bar will remain stationary and the mechanism associated therewith for moving bar 49 away from the plates 37 will not be operated. It will likewise be seen that unless the bar 49 is moved away from abutting engagement with the plates 37 it is impossible to operate any of the buttons 12 for the reason that the straps 36 associated with the buttons 12 cannot be moved when the plates 37 attached to these straps arel in abutting engagement with bar 49. It will be apparent, therefore, that a suitable locked door being provided about the rear of the housing 10 the voting machine cannot be set into position for voting except by the operation of button 93 by the proper election official.

Assuming that the voter has finished voting and has operated certain of the buttons 12 to move corresponding wedge units 41 into wedging engagement with the abutments 46 disposed between the group spaces 42, and accordingly has moved corresponding plates 37 into abutting engagement with bar 49, he leaves the voting booth through an exit controlled by bar 237 and in so doing he is required to move bar 237 from the position in which it is shown in dotted outline in Fig. 5 into a position at right angles to the wall 128. The mechanisms in the housing 85opcrafted by the voter when he moves bar 237 on leaving the voting booth are substantially similar to the mechanisms in housing 89 and include a cam structure generically indicated at 168 which is substantially similar to cam structure 142. The cam structure 168 is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 169 similar to stub shaft 133 and this stub shaft 169 includes the constricted portions 170 and 171, the cam structure 168 being secured to the constricted portion 170 by means of a pin 172. Formed in the cam structure 168 are the shoulders 173 and 174 and the notch 175. The upper and lower portions of this cam structure 168 are secured together by means of screws 176 and 177 which carry spacing collars 178 and 179, respectively. A roller 180 which is mounted on a stud 181 is provided and this roller 180 is similar to roller 147. A stopping stud 182, similar to stud 145, is likewise provided in housing 85 and also disposed therein is a dog 167 which is mounted on a stud 183 which carries a col-lar 184. The dog 167 includes the arcuated face portion 185 'and the notched portion 166 providing the tooth 186.

he movement of bar 237 from the position i-n which it is shown in Fig. 5 to a position at right angles with the wall 128 rotates the cam structure 168 until the shoulder 174 abuts the stud 182, and during this movement the roller 180 rides on the arcuated face 185 of the dog 167 forcing the bar 81 inwardly, andy as bar 81 is moved inwardly the stud 80 thereon actuates the bell crank 74 which forces the arm 72 attached thereto upwardly. The upward movement of arm 7 2 l-ikewise moves attached bar 67 upwardly which spreads the links 63 and 63 and moves bar 50 leftwardly, looking at the rear of the panel. The left'n ward movement of bar 50 actuates the attached bars .53 which in turn actuate the bars 50 attached to bars 53, and as these bars 50 are moved leftwardly they engage the tongues 59 of the pawls 14 and these tongues 59 are moved leftwardly in the slots 60. As the tongue portions 59 ot' the pawls 14 are moved leftwardly in the slots 60 the pawls 14 engage the teeth 188 of the counting gear 236 (Fig. 4) and record the vote in a manner described in the applicants co-pendin g application Ser. No. 449,624, referred to hereinbefore. Likewise the movement of the pawls 14 actuates the members 34 which return the indicators lll 28 of the buttons 12 to vertical voting 'position.

In the movements described herein of bar 187 and bar 50 next adjacent thereto at the left, these bars actuate independent voting mechanisms referred to as being embodied in the applicants cto-pending application identified hereinbefore, and generically indicated at 82.

As the bars 50 and actuated bars 53 are moved leftwardly bythe .voter on leaving the voting booth, in the manner described above, the bar 49 is likewise moved leftwardly and, it being assumed that the voter has operated certain of the buttons 12 and associated straps 36, and has accordingly moved certain ofk the plates 87 into abutting engagement with the bar 49, the bar 49 as it is moved leftwardly by the voter on leaving the booth abuts the plates 37 and moves them leftwardly. It will be seen, therefore, that as the plates 37 are Y moved leftwardly the straps 40 attached l to the position in which they are ing thereto are likewise similarly moved and the wedgeunits 41 that have been moved into wedging engagement with the abutment-s 46, between group spaces 42, are likewise moved out of wedging engagement and are returned shown in Fig. 2. VThe voting operation is, therefore, completed and the cycle of operations described -above may again be repeated, the next voter entering the booth and commencing the next cycle by operating bar 236. J

It will be assumed, however, that the election is over or for some other reason the proper election oiiicials desire to determine the number of votes recorded on the countmechanism 15 associated with each of the buttonsV 12. In this connection there are provided sliding plates 199 which are disposed outwardly from the face of the panel 11 and are adapted to conceal the numerals on the numeral dials 200 of the counting mechanism 15. These plates 199 are slidable over the faces of the numerals dials 200 in-V wardly of shoulders 201 provided in the housings 22. Suitable tickets 202 are Vdisposed exteriorly of the plate 199. The plates 199 have suitable openings 203V formed therein and these openings are adapted to be moved into alignment with the uppermost of the numerals on the dials 200, indicated at 204, 205 and 206 in Fig. 8 by means of a mechanism now to be described. In this connection I provide the shaft 117 which is rotatably mounted on the panel 11 at the rear thereof by means of brackets 207 and 208 which are attached to the panel 11 by means of suitable connecting elements such as screws 209. Formed in one end portion of the shaft 117 isaconstrictedportion 210 which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bracket 211 which is attached to the panel 11 by means of screws 212. The bracket 211 includes a portion 219 Vwhich projects rightangularly fromthe panel 11. A Vcentrally disposed opening 220 is provided in this projecting portion 219 and the endportion 210 of shaft 117 projects through this opening. Mounted rigidly on the shaft 117 in any'approved manner, adjacent the bearing 210, is an arm 213 which includes aconstricted portion 214, and this constricted portion projects through an opening 215 formed in the panel 11. The end portion 216 of this constricted portion projects through an opening 217 provided in one of the plates 199. Mounted rigidly in the shaft 117 in any approved manner such as by wedging engagement and arranged at spaced intervals from the arm 213 is a plurality of arms 218 which project forwardly from the shaft 117 through suitable openings formed in Vthe panel 11. These arms`218 project through openings formed in .the plates 199 in substantially the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 7 for the constricted portion 214 of arm 213. The shaft 117 includes a squared end portion 219 on which a collar 220 is mounted and mounted rigidly on the squared portion 219 and rotatable therewith outwardly of the collar 220 is a cylindrical plate 221 which carries a stud 222, for a purpose to be explained presently. Formed on the outer face of the plate 221 is a recess 223 and adapted to lit into this recess is a pin 224 which is slidably mounted in suitable openings provided in the arms 225 and 226 of a bracket 227 which is attached to the panel 11 by means of suitable connecting elements such as screws 228. Mounted on the pin 224 is a coil spring 229, one end of which abuts a rigidly mounted washer 230 carried by the pin 224. The pin 224 includes an angularly formed outer end portion which provides a handle 231. Y

Assuming now that the proper election official wishes to read the numeralV dials 200 which, VVwhile the machine'is in use .are completely covered, he accomplishes this object as follows: rllhe arm 213 is moved clockwise into the position shown in dotted outline in Figs. 7 and 10, the forward end portion 216 moving the plate 199 thereon downwardly, and this movement ofarm 213 likewise rotates shaft117. This movement of shaft 117 in turn moves thearms 218 attached thereto clockwise (Fig. 10) and in this manner the plates V199 are lowered until the openings 208 formed therein come into alignment with the topmost numerals 204, 205, 206 onV the dials 200. In this manner the total number of votes registered by each button may be determined. It is to be noted, however, that when the shaft 117 is rotated clockwise (Fig. 7) to lower plates V199 to expose the top numberson the numeral dials, as explained above, the plate 221 on shaft 117 is likewise rotated clockwise (Fig. 10) and this movement fof plate 221, as :shown in Fig. 10, causes the stud 222 attached thereto to 'engage the inner side of arm 113 and the arm 113 is accordingly moved into the position shown in dotted outline in F ig. 10. When arm 113 reaches this position the spring 229 forces pin 224 into the recess 2:13 formed in plate 221 and in this manner bloei: 121 is locked out of working position and the machine rendered incapable of operation. It will be seen, therefore, that when t ie plates 199 are lowered to expose the top numbers showing the registered vote on the numeral dials 200 arm 113 has moved block 121 attached thereto out from its working position between bars 81 and 125 and it is thus rendered impossible for the machine to be operated for the reason, as explained hereinbefore, that when block 121 is out of position har 125 cannot move bar 81 to set the machine in voting position and it is necessary that the numeral dials 200 be covered again and block 121 be moved back into position between bars 81 and 125 before voting can be resumed. The return of block 121 and the covering of the numeral dials is accomplished by releasing pin 224 from the recess 223 by means of the handle portion 231.v and then moving arm 213 countercloclwise (Figs. 7 and 10) into the position in which it is shown in solid line in Fig. 10. This movement of arm 213 rotates the shaft 117 and lowers the plates 199 in the manner described above and likewise this movement of shaft 117 moves arm 113, and block 121 attached to arm 113 is thus returned into position between bars 81 and 125 so that the machine is in this manner returned to operating position and voting may again be resumed.

Then the bar 121 is in working position between bars 81 and 125 an arcuated flat spring 232 is provided to keep the block 121 in abutting engagement with the inner end of bar 125. The upper end portion of spring 232 is niiounted in a stud 233 which is secured to the arm 113 by means of a suitable connecting element such as screw 234 and the lower end portion is mounted in a slot 235 provided in the head of the stud 124.

From the foregoing description of my invention it will be manifest that my invention embodies an operating mechanism for a voting machine which is positive in operation and fraud proof in use and will accordingly satisfy the various requirements demanded of voting machines by various states and other political divisions. It will likewise be manifest that the invention described hereinbefore will effectively serve its many other objects while being economical in manufacture and it is understood that various individual devices other than those described above may be attached to the operating mechanism embodied in this invention without departing from the purview of the invention or in any way interfering with the operation of the mechanisms embodied therein.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modiiications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a voting machine, registering mechanism including counting dials, plates slidr4 ably mounted over the faces of said dials, register-operating mechanism, means for moving said plates selectively into position to eX- pose or to conceal said dials including a rock shaft, booth entrance mechanism to operate said register-operating mechanism including a slide bar and a block engageable with an end of said slide bar, and an arm on said rock shaft attached to said block for moving said block out of engagement with said slide bar to render said cnt-rance mechanism ineffective to operate said register-operating mechanism when sai-d plates are in dial-exposing position relative to said )late-moving means.

2. In a voting machine, registering mechanism including counting dials, plates slidably mounted over the faces of said dials, register-operating mechanism, means for moving said plates selectively into position to expose or to cover said dials including a rock shaft, booth entrance mechanism to move said register-operating mechanism into reset position including a slide bar, and a block engageable with an end of said slide bar, booth exit mechanism to move said registeroperating mechanism into register-operating position including a slidable reset bar having an end engageable with said block, andan arm on said rock shaft attached to said block for moving said block out of engagement with said ends of said bars to render said slide bar inelfective to move said reset bar when said plates are in dial-exposing position relative to said plate-moving means.

3. In a voting machine, registering mechanism including counting dials, plates slidably mounted over the faces of said dials, register-operating mechanism, means for moving said plates selectively into position to expose or to conceal said dials including a rock shaft, booth entrance mechanism to operate said register-operating mechanism including a slide bar and a block engageable with an end of said slide bar, an arm on said rock shaft attached to said block for moving said block out of engagement with said slide bar to render said entrance mechanism ineffective to operate said register-operating mechanism when said plates are in dial-exposing position relative to said plate-moving means, a rockable rod having one end attached to said arm,

Y ing a slide bar?,

a casing for said machine, and a link mechanism mounted on said casing including a pivotal elementattached to the other end ot said rod.

4. In a voting machine7 registering mechanism including counting. dials, plates slidably mounted over the faces oit said dials, registeroperatin g mechanism, means for moving said plates' selectively into position to expose or to cover said dials including a rock shaft, booth entrance mechanism to move said register-operating mechanism into reset position includand a block engagealole With an end of said slide bar, booth exit mechanism to move said register-operating mechanism into register-operating position including a slidable reset har having an end engageable With said block, an arm on said rock shaft attached to said block for moving said block out of engagement with said ends of said bars to render said slide bar ineilective to move said reset bar When said plates are in dial-exposing position relative to said platemoving means, a rockable rod having an end attached to said arm, a casing for said .ma-- chine, and a link mechanism mounted on said casing including a pivotal element attached to the other end of said rod.

In testimony whereof I atIiX my signature. JGSEPII M. GARR. 

